Boulder

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Boulder

2008 SURPLUS MAY FUND POP-UP SCRAPE-OFF STUDY

Five of the eight current City Council members say they are interested in spending as much as $80,000 of a projected 2008 budget surplus to again study the so-called pop-up scrape-off issue. As many Boulder homeowners seek to update and expand their aging homes, vocal neighbors protest change in neighborhoods. Home size is currently regulated in four ways. New homes or additions resulting in larger homes must adhere to set-back, height limits and solar access to control bulk. Several years ago the City Council added a maximum .8 floor area ratio (the square footage cannot exceed 80% of the square footage of the lot) to the controls. While home size is the focus, design to mitigate the effect of larger homes is generally seen as the most effective mitigation and it respects owners' rights to use and enjoy their property. Interestingly, the city spent tens of thousands of dollars just 3 ½ years ago. Why would city officials use scarce resources to go back over this same issue so soon after a thorough study concluded the 'problem' is simply one of individual perceptions and taste and is not a threat to the community?

TVAP MOVES AHEAD BUT LACKS FUNDS FOR NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE

On June 5 the Boulder City Council agreed to proceed with public hearings and likely adoption of the Transit Village Area Plan (TVAP) despite the fact that the projected $88 million in infrastructure investments are not funded. The funds are expected to be needed over the next 20 years to build bus stops, bike lanes, streets and other community facilities needed to support bus rapid transit and commuter rail services. City officials will have to come up with much of the funding early if area property owners are to be encouraged to redevelop using TVAP guidelines. High density mixed-uses that may include up to 2500 residential units are planned in the 160-acre area. The City Council and the Planning Board will hold a study session on the TVAP on July 17 beginning at 6:00pm in council chambers.